Analyzing (skateboarding) magazines

In this post I will analyse the main conventions of skateboarding most influential magazine, Thrasher. I will go over the visual aesthetics, themes and motifs, and the in depth analysis of the cover, the table of contents and the articles.

Thrasher magazine is a influential magazine in it's field that is well known for promoting the gritty, raw and uncensored part of skateboarding.

Thrasher covers don’t try to be polished or commercial. Instead, they feel authentic, rebellious, and skater-driven, reflecting the real, day-to-day image of skateboarding, each featuring a skater doing tricks in the centre of the whole cover. It's covers changed little over time, staying true to it's origins.

90s Thrasher magazine cover

Visual Aesthetic:

• Action-Oriented Photography: Almost every cover features a skater mid-trick, often in an urban or skatepark setting (handrails, stair sets, abandoned pools, or unique DIY spots).

• High-Contrast, Gritty Style: The images often have strong shadows and high contrast, making them feel raw and unfiltered.

• Minimal but Aggressive Design: Unlike mainstream sports magazines, Thrasher keeps its covers fairly minimal, usually just the skater, the iconic flaming logo, and maybe a tagline or issue title.

• Street-Level Perspective: The shots are taken from angles that emphasize danger, skill, and the unseen nature of skateboarding. Often showing brutal slams alongside successful tricks.

Recurring Themes & Motifs:

• The Iconic "Thrasher" Logo – The bold, capital-letter masthead (often in yellow, red, or black) is instantly recognizable. The flaming logo version has become especially famous.

the iconic thrasher logo

• DIY & Underground Feel – Occasionally, covers include raw, photocopy-like aesthetics, giving them a zine-like, underground media vibe.

• Seasons & Special Editions: Some covers reflect the season—like snow-covered skate spots or even whole snowboarding articles for winter issues—or highlight major milestones, such as Skater of the Year ( S.O.T.Y.) covers.

COVER ANALYSIS:

Masthead:

• Thrasher’s masthead is bold, blocky, and highly recognizable, often in a sharp, capitalized, flame-adorned font.

• The logo has remained largely consistent since its founding in 1981, reinforcing its strong brand identity.

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Selling/Tag Line:

• Thrasher doesn’t typically use a traditional marketing tagline, but it does have well-known phrases like “Skate and Destroy” that were later even printed on shirts.

Dateline:

• The month and year are included but are usually placed discreetly.

• The price is often visible but doesn’t take much attention.

Main Image:

• Almost always a skater mid-trick, captured in raw, high-energy action.

• Unlike fashion magazines, the subject rarely makes direct eye contact with the camera, sometimes being photographed even from the back, emphasizing action over personality.

Main Cover Line:

• The biggest cover line usually highlights a featured skater, a “Skater of the Year” (SOTY) announcement, or a special skate event.

• Sometimes it’s just a few powerful words (e.g., “Shane O’Neill: Big Moves”).

Cover Lines:

• Minimal use compared to mainstream magazines, sometimes none are used

• If used, they are often small and scattered, with an informal, street-style typography.

• Could reference major interviews, events, or video parts.

Model Credit:

• Rarely included—Thrasher is about the culture and action, not individual celebrity.

• If a skater’s name is on the cover, it’s in the main cover line rather than as a photo credit.

Left Third:

• The bold masthead makes Thrasher instantly recognizable even in a crowded magazine rack.

• No need for excessive text—the masthead and action-driven imagery do the selling.

Bar Code:

• Always present but small and tucked into a corner, keeping focus on the cover visuals.

TABLE OF CONTENTS ANALYSIS:

Layout & Design:

• Usually a two-page spread with a cluttered but stylish layout, reflecting the at times informal and relaxed style of the publication.

• 3-4 column layout, but not strictly structured—gives an organic, original feel.

Main Image:

• Often features one bold action shot from the main article.

Other Smaller Images:

• Several smaller photos of skaters, skate spots, and sometimes behind-the-scenes shots.

Page Numbers & Design Elements:

• Page numbers are often in a bold font, matching the magazine’s raw aesthetic.

• Sections are clearly divided, though the layout isn’t always neat—some pages look intentionally chaotic.

Top of the Page Elements:

• The magazine’s name, issue date, and the word “Contents” appear but are often stylized in a non-traditional format (sometimes hand-drawn or punk-inspired).

Subscription & Contact Info:

• Usually tucked away at the bottom or in a separate ad. Thrasher relies more on cultural loyalty than subscription gimmicks.

Colors:

• Thrasher uses high-contrast, bold, and gritty colors, usually sticking to black, red, white, and yellow, which are used in it's famous logo.

• The contents page maintains the raw energy seen on the cover.

Main Categories:

• Sections include:

  • Features – Long-form interviews, deep dives into skate culture, or Skater of the Year content.

  • Regulars, also known as departaments: "Firing Line" (quick skate clips), "Hall of Meat" (gnarly slam photos), how to style clothes and event coverage.

  • Photo Sequences, that can span entire pages, Skate trick breakdowns.

Photography & Credits:

• Photographer credits are included, but often in a small, minimal way.

Bottom of the Page Elements:

• Often features a web address or social media handle in a subtle way.

ARTICLE ANALYSIS:

Headline:

• Short, bold, and direct

• No flashy wordplay—just raw, attention-grabbing titles.

Introductory Paragraph:

• Often starts with a high-energy tone, setting the stage for skater interviews or deep dives into skate culture.

• Sometimes structured like a narrative, with an engaging hook.

Body Text:

• Written in an informal, sometimes humorous style.

• Articles are immersive, storytelling-driven, and often include slang and skater lingo.

• Layout:

  • Uses columns (typically 3 or 4).

  • Varied font sizes and bold text for impact.

  • Pull quotes and boxed sections highlight key points.

Sub-Headlines:

• Breaks the article into sections, but not always traditionally structured.

Pull Quotes:

• Highlight memorable, funny statements from skaters.

• Often placed in huge, aggressive fonts.

• Tend to appear pretty often

Captions for Images:

• Short, often sarcastic or humorous.

• Not generic—Thrasher captions add extra personality and attitude.

Folio:

• Simple and non-intrusive, often blending into the raw, hand-drawn vibe of the layout.